Shift Drink

Latest Episodes:

Dive Bars and Jazz Clubs Jan 17, 2018

Show notes

David Andrichik is a pioneer in one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Indianapolis, Massachusetts Avenue. In 1982, while working for an architecture firm, he decided to invest in some real estate across the street from crack dealers. Little did he know that his purchase would put him at the helm of what is now considered the city’s best dive bar and jazz club. And he’s been there for 35 years. People from all walks of life grace the cracked vinyl conference room seating , living legends like Wynton Marsalis stop by to play sets, and he’s introducing jazz to a whole new generation. Get a beer and a shot, put on some jazz, and listen to the tales of David Andrichik.

Cheese with Vinny Salas Jan 03, 2018

Show notes

To kick off 2018, we’re talking with one of our favorite people in the Midwest. Vinny Salas is a familiar face in Indianapolis culinary circles. For years, you could find him slinging cheese and cured meats at Goose the Market – owned by past guest Chris Eley. He’s since moved on to Caplinger’s Fresh Catch, but his cheese passion is stronger than ever. We’re all over the place today – cheese tradeshows, pairing marijuana with cheese, seasonal variations in cheese, misunderstood terminology in cheesemaking, and Vinny’s current modular synthesizer obsession. We recommend getting a few cheeses and a glass of white Rioja to enjoy while listening to this episode. Cheers!

Sobriety and Mental Health in the Service Industry Dec 20, 2017

Show notes

We’re usually talking booze and all the fun we have drinking cocktails. But what happens when the fun fades and alcohol becomes a detriment to your health? After hearing about Joshua Gonzales’ recent talks about mental health and drug abuse in service industry, we knew we needed to invite him back on the show to discuss this important topic. The statistics are grim – depression and anxiety go unchecked, workers self medicate with drugs and alcohol, and lives are ruined. Joshua is working to bring these issues out into the open by discussing his own sobriety and struggle. Whether you’re in the service industry or not, this is an important subject to talk about. So here’s a start.

And, for more information, visit Addiction in the Service Industry and The 17 Jobs Where You’re Most Likely To Become An Alcoholic.

Sun King Brewing with Clay Robinson Dec 06, 2017

Show notes

This week we’re sitting down with Clay Robinson – the co-founder of Sun King Brewing in downtown Indianapolis. After satisfying a bit of wanderlust, working with corporately-owned breweries, and writing numerous business plans, Clay opened a small brewery in the heart of the city in 2009 that has now become a community leader, a pioneer in canned craft beer, and the first major production craft brewery in Indianapolis in decades. They kicked off a boom that lead to Indianapolis becoming one of the best craft beer cities in the country. Grab a pint and enjoy!

Wilks & Wilson: Purveyors of Fine Elixirs Nov 22, 2017

Show notes

After spending decades in software and marketing, Greg Wilson partnered up with bartender Zach Wilks in 2012 to launch Wilks & Wilson. In six short years, the guys have grown from making syrups for a few bars in Indianapolis to an becoming an internationally-distributed producer of specialty mixers and bitters. You can find their syrups and bitters being used in home bars, Vegas casinos, cocktail competitions, some of the country’s most respected bars, and Italy & Australia.

Shift Culture Nov 08, 2017

Show notes

The tables got turned on this week’s episode. We sat down with the guys from DRNK CLTR to talk about a bit about Shift Drink, and about our “day jobs”. We drank some Jamaican rum & French wine, discussed our lack of importance in the world, uppity sommeliers, rum’s increasing popularity, and how the Midwest is (mistakenly) perceived as flyover country.

Brother Cleve: Cocktail History, Exotica, and Tiki Oct 25, 2017

Show notes

Brother Cleve is a true Renaissance Man. He’s a legendary bartender, an accomplished musician, an amateur historian, a charismatic storyteller, and a Minister of the Church of the SubGenius. He’s remixed Bollywood film music, toured the world playing exotica, and was instrumental in the craft cocktail revival. His place in cocktail history was recently documented in A Proper Drink: The Untold Story of How a Band of Bartenders Saved the Civilized Drinking World by Robert Simonson. He needs little introduction in cocktail & Tiki circles. Grab a Mai Tai and listen to the most interesting stories you’ll hear all day.

UPDATE: After listening, many people have expressed interest in his DJ work and his Bollywood mixes. You can find them at:

MIXCLOUD: Brother Cleve
MIXCLOUD: Cultures of Soul (look for the Brother Cleve mixes)

Ben Jones and St. Lucia Distillers Oct 11, 2017

Show notes

It’s been a year since we’ve had Ben Jones on the show. The last time around (Rhum Agricole with Ben Jones) we were talking all things Martinique. This time he’s back to talk about St. Lucia Distillers, a relatively recent addition to the Spiribam portfolio. Learn a bit about how the islands work together, how the hurricanes affected the islands, the Ti’ Punch Cup, and rum salad. So grab a bottle of Chairman’s Reserve and have a listen.

Our Best/Worst Episode Yet – with Chris Benedyk Sep 27, 2017

Show notes

This week we planned on talking with Chris Benedyk of Love Handle about the breakfast/brunch revolution. We planned on talking about how chefs that traditionally opened dinner-only restaurants are now rethinking their concepts and cooking innovative food for the morning hours. We planned to get deep into what makes a dish a “brunch dish”. We planned on delving into the world of offal and how it can elevate a breakfast. Instead Ed got drunk. With Chris Benedyk. In an hour.

Episode title stolen from The Boogie Monster Podcast

Vermouth, Amaro, and Haus Alpenz with Jake Parrott Sep 13, 2017

Show notes

Vermouth, Amaro, and Haus Alpenz or:
How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Tell Jake to Shut The F*ck Up

If there are two confusing categories of alcohol, vermouth and amaro are at the top of the list. There are few people as knowledgeable on the subject as Jake Parrott of Haus Alpenz. He’s an old friend of the show so expect some NSFW language and ribbing along with some twisting rabbit holes of information. This is a very deep subject and the best way is to dive right in. We recommend giving this episode a few listens while making some of the simple cocktail recipes that Jake offers up for our listeners. And don’t forget to check out their instagram feed for even more inspiration